I highly recommend the Cisco 678 ADSL modem. This is what I use. It is robust and dependable - it can go for months between modem reboots. These used to be available on eBay for $10-$20, though I haven't checked lately. This modem supports data rates up 8 Mbps (it dates back to the late 1990's IIRC).

For your modem choice, it really depends on what type of technology is being used at the other end of the phone line. You will need to contact your ISP to determine compatibility (for whatever modem you choose).

The Cisco is old school though. The configuration is via a serial terminal. The firmware update is via the same serial terminal using the old XMODEM protocol (I use HyperTerminal under Windows for this).

There are a number of configuration parameters need to be supplied by your ISP.
For example, do they use an ADSL version of DHCP, or do you have a static IP?

As far as bridging, the Cisco does support bridging. Though for my needs, I never needed it. I just use a double NAT setup with a Linux PC acting as my real router for my network. Again, this all comes back to what your needs are.

Why would you want to use a 10-year old ADSL1 modem restricted to ADSL1? If you can't get ADSL2+ (up to 24Mbps) there are other newer modes such as RE-ADSL for extended reach.

Just need to add that if the OP has a PPPoA only ISP the choice of modem is more restricted because you need one with a good half-bridge mode - you cannot "full bridge" PPPoA. This particularly affects users in UK and NZ it seems.

Why would you want to use a 10-year old ADSL1 modem restricted to ADSL1? If you can't get ADSL2+ (up to 24Mbps) there are other newer modes such as RE-ADSL for extended reach.

Just need to add that if the OP has a PPPoA only ISP the choice of modem is more restricted because you need one with a good half-bridge mode - you cannot "full bridge" PPPoA. This particularly affects users in UK and NZ it seems.

Click to expand...

Well, the OP gave *absolutely no information* about his technical requirements, other than "cheap". So I offered up one that is robust, reliable, and usually cheap.

As I can see TalkTalk can use both pppoa and pppoe. Cheap, reliable modem D-Link dsl-320b (ADSL2+) is a very well option. Using it in half-bridge mode (D-link own ip extension) for months w/o any reboot at all. My speed (20Mb down/2Mb up)